Apparatus for carbonizing fiber



(NoModel.)

A. L. REINMANN.

APPARATUS FOR GARBUNIZING FIBER. No. 345,860. Patented July Z0,- 1886.

,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT L. REINMANN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR CARBONIZING FIBER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 345,860, dated July 20, 1886.

Application filed October 31, 1885. Serial No. 181.459. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT L. REINMANN, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Alleglieny and State of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the United States, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Carbonizing Fibers, of which improvements the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, Figure l is a sectional view showing the manner of packing the carbons, carrying the bers to be carbonized in a crucible. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the manner ofwinding the fibers 3 on the carbon-holder.

The invention herein relates to certain improvenients in apparatus for baking or carbonizing silk or other fibers employed in incan descent electric lights.

The method of carbonizing bers heretofore in general use consisted in winding the fibers to be treated upon suitably -shaped carbon blocks, and then arranging these blocks in suitable pots or crucibles, carbon dust or graphite beinginterposed between the blocks, and then subjecting the same to a high heat in any suitable furnace. This method is objectionable on account ofthe unequal carbonizing of the bers, it being practically impossible to heat the pot or crucible and its contents uniformly on all sides, and consequently some portions of the fiber will be more highly carbonized than others.

It has been attempted to overcome the above difficulty by interposing metal plates between the carbon blocks, the edges of such plates extending between the edges of the blocks and into close proximity to the walls of the containing pot or crucible, the object of such plates being to conduct the heat to the interior of the pot, and thereby effect an even distribution thereof. This plan, however, is only partially successful, as the heat would pass in between the metal plates, and, consequently, carbonize the portions of the fibers on the edges of the block more highly than the other portions.

The object of the invention herein is to provide for the equal and even distribution and application of the heat on all sides ofthe carbon blocks to effect the regular and even carbonization of the fibers thereon; and to this end my invention consists in interposing a heat-conducting shell or frame between the carbon blocks and the walls of the containing pot or crucible, said shell or frame completely inclosin g said blocks, substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

In carrying out my invention, the silk or other suitable thread or fiber is wound upon the carbon block l, and secured thereon in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The threads or fibers are then cut on both sides of the block along the line x x. The prepared blocks are then packed into the pot or crucible 2 in the following manner: A layer of powdered carbon dust is placed on the bottom of the pot or crucible 2, and on this layer is placed a plate, 3, of metal or other good heat-conducting material. Within the pot or crucible is arranged the metal shell orframe 4, its lower end resting upon the plate 3, and the space between the wall of the crucible and the shell is lled with carbon dust, as shown. On the plate 3, within the shell 4, is placed a layer of powdered carbon, and on this layer and centrally within the shell is arranged one of the pre pared carbon-blocks 1. Then another layer of, carbon dust and another block l are placed therein. This arrangement or packing of the carbon dust and blocks is continued until the shell is iilled, the powdered carbon not only covering the blocksl, but also surrounding the edges thereof, as shown, the shell being of a diameter greater than the length of the car-` bon blocks. Over the top of the shell or frame is placed another metal plate, 5, which is also covered with powdered carbon. The crucible or pot 2, having its contents, arranged substantially in the manner above stated, is covered by the cap 6, and placed in a suitable heatingfurnace.

During the baking of the bersthe heat of the furnace is conducted through the pot to the carbon dust outside of the shell or frame, then to said shell and through the shell to the carbon dust and blocks within the same. It sometimes occurs that the potsare exposed to a greater heat on one portion or side thereof than the other; but by interposing a good heat-conducting shell orframe in the path of the heat it will follow the path of least re- IOO same to a practically-uniform temperatureA throughout, and from thence it will ilow inrwardly in equal degrees from all sides to the carbon dust and blocks, carrying the fibers contained therein. of heat will cause the fiber to shrink equally and regularly, thereby avoiding any bending or distortion thereof, and will effect a uniform carbonization of all the filaments and of all part-s of each larnent. This uniform carbonization is practically impossible inthe manner of packing the ber-carrying blocks, as heretofore practiced, for the reason that if one u part of the fibers be heated sooner or more highly than others the resulting filaments will be bent and distorted by this unequal appliY cation of heat, and be unequal as regards electrical resistance on account of their different degrees of carbonization.

The shell or frame, and its top and bottom plates may be made of any good heat-cond ucting material, or of any material having great- The equable application.

er heat-conducting properties than the carbon dust in which the ber carrying blocks are packed; and I do not Wish to limit myself to any particular shape of pot or interposed shell,` the main characteristic ofthe invention being the interposition of a shell or frame having relatively high heat-conducting properties between the pot or Crucible and the ibencarry- Ying blocks; nor do I limit myself to powdered carbon as the packing material to be used, as other suitable refractory materials may be used Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim herein as my inventionl. A pot or crucible having fiber-carrying blocks suitably arranged therein, in combination with a heat-distributing shell or frame, as described, interposed between said blocks and the walls of the pot or Crucible, substantially as set forth.

2. A pot or Crucible having fiber-carrying blocks, and powdered refractory material arf ranged therein in alternate layers, in combination with a heat-distributing shell or frame, as described, interposed between said blocks and the walls of the pot or crucible, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand.

ALBERT L. REINMANN.

Witnesses:

DARWIN S. WoLcoTr, R. H. WHITTLESEY. 

